Rotary swager with axially progressive die action



June 23, 1953 s. o. EVANS 2,642,762

ROTARY SWAGER WITH AXIALLY PROGRESSIVE DIE ACTION Filed Nov. 22, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IDUZIJ [mum n FlG.2

' INVENTOR gLd/ey 0 Evans ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 s, o. EVANS 2,642,762

ROTARY SWAGER WITH AXIALLY PROGRESSIVE DIE ACTION I 9 LL.

INVENTOR m Sza'ley 0E Vans 1 BY ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 s, o, V N 2,642,762

ROTARY SWAGER WITH AXIALLY PROGRESSIVE DIE ACTION Filed flov. 22, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR id/ey OEVZZHS ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1953 ROTARY SWAGER WITH AXIALLY I PROGRESSIVE DIE ACTION Sidley 0. Evans, Beaver Falls, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Jersey City, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November- 22, 1950, Serial No. 197,083 '11 Claims. (01. 78-z1 This invention relates to swaging means of the rotary spindle type, as used for reducing the diameter of tubes, rods and the like or for forming apoint on such elements. 7

These swaging machines include a rotary spindle having an axially extending diametrio slot in which are mounted opposed dies. Surrounding the spindle is an annular series of striker rolls, the rolls being confined between the spindle and an outer ring, and frequently held in separated relation by arace. Each' die has associated therewith a hammer block, likewise mounted in the spindle slot, and'the radially outer ends of the hammer blocks are'provided with striker means, such as a roll mounted in the hammer block.

The relative arrangement andrelation of parts is such that, when a workpiece isinserted in the axial passage of the spindle, there is a negative clearance between each striker roll and the striker means and the hammer blocks. Consequently, as the spindle isrotated, the striker means of the hammer blocks are recurrently engaged by the striker rolls each time a hammer block and its associated die are radially aligned with a striker roll. The result is a sharp blow I struck on the workpiece, reducing the diametric or transverse dimension of the latter.

In known arrangements used in practice, each striker roll extends at least the full length of the slot, and the striker roll axes are parallel to the spindle axis and to the striker means of the hammer blocks. Consequently, the striker roll pressure is exerted simultaneously along the full length of the hammer block and thus along the full length of the die. Thus, the total effective force of each striker roll is divided over the area of the workpiece in contact with the dies, or the average pressure exerted on the workpiece in pounds per square inch is the total force exerted by the machine divided by the total area of die contact.

The present invention is directed to improved die block and hammer block arrangements in which the total force of each recurrent blow by a striker roll is progressively: exerted axially along the area of the workpiece in contact with the die block. In one arrangement according to the present invention, the pair of die blocks and the pair of hammer blocks of a conventional rotary swager are replaced by segmental die blocks and segmental hammer blocks. In effect, each die block and hammer block is divided into aseries of axially aligned juxtaposed segmental die blocks and hammer blocks. Each hammer block carries a roll in its outer end for engagement with the striker rolls and, proceeding from'one end of the spindle axially toward the other end. thereof, the hammerblock rolls are progressively off-set circumferentially in the same direction. 1 Consequently, each hammer block roll is successively engaged by a striker roll, with the result that the total effective force is successively concentrated on each segmental die. Thereby, successive increments of the workpiece have full force of the machine applied thereto.

roll. force of the machine, the flow of metal in the workpiece will not be impeded by confinement or by friction with a relatively long die. In effect, a small high pressure area travels along the workpiece in much'the same manner as occurs in rolling of metal.

In another modification of the machine, ,the conventional die and hammer block sets are replaced by novel die and hammer block sets each comprising a single pair of dies and a single pair The work contacting surfaces of the dies, instead of being parallel to the spindle axis are curved longitudinally about relaof hammer blocks.

tively large radii of curvature so that the opposed dies rock on each other. Each hammer block has, on its outer end or surface, a striker rib which extends diagonally of the hammer block from one end thereof to the other.

With this arrangement, as each die and hammer block set moves toward radial alignment with a striker roll, the striker roll progressively engages incremental surface portions of the rib. The total force. of the machine is thus progressively exerted on incremental areas proceeding from one end of the workpiece to the other, the opposed dies rocking about their curved surfaces during such progressive application of the striker roll force. I g For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In'the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of a rotary swager embodying one form of the invention; I

Fig. 2 is an outer end view of the rotary swager shown in Fig. 1, with cover removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevation view of the die and hammer block construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a diametric sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating another modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of a pair of die and hammer block sets used in the arrangement of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the striker surface of the hammer blocks shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 5, the rotary swager comprises a main frame It), in the intermediate portion of which is mounted a horizontally disposed spindle ll suitably supported on antifriction bearings. Fixed adjacent one end of the spindle is a sheave (not shown) operatively connected by a series of belts I3 to a sheave l2 driven by an electric motor l4 which is supported on a platform IS on the upper portion of the main frame [0.

At the opposite end of the spindle II is an enlarged annular head which is formed with a transverse or diametric slot I! to receive a pair of sets ofdie blocks each having a set of hammer blocks associated therewith and disposed outwardly of the die blocks. In the illustrated embodiment, each set or series of die blocks comprises four (4) segmental die blocks a, 20b, 20c and 20d which are in longitudinal alignment in the slot l1 and juxtaposed axially of the head IS. The die blocks of each pair have complementary semi-circular grooves l8, and the outer ends of the outermost die blocks 20a flare or taper outwardly as indicated at 21. A tube, rod or other metal workpiece (not shown) is introduced between the die blocks and is fed into the machine from the outer end and thence passed axially through the bore 22 of the spindle as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Each die block has associated therewith a segmental hammer block such as 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d, the segmental hammer blocks being aligned longitudinally of slot [1 and in juxtaposed relation. Each hammer block has its outer end wall 26 curved and is formed with a recess 21 to receive a hammer roll such as 28a, 28b, 28c, and 2803. A portion of the peripheral surface of each hammer roll projects outwardly of the curved end wall 26. The hammer rolls are mounted in their respective hammer blocks in such a manner that they are able to turn in order to present different surface portions to be struck by the striker rolls.

Spaced radially from the peripheral surface of the spindle head I5 is a hardened inner or liner ring 3| suitably secured to the main frame l0. Disposed in the cavity 32 between the liner ring 3| and the spindle head I5 is an annular series of striker rolls 30, the rolls 38 being spacially positioned by a race 33. Each striker roll extends at least the full length of and somewhat beyond the slot I! in head I5, and the striker roll axesare parallel to the spindle axis and thus longitudinally alignable with the sets of segmental die blocks and segmental hammer blocks.

In accordance with the present invention, the successive hammer rolls are progressively offset circumferentially proceeding from the outer end of the spindle toward the inner end thereof. Thus, and as best seen in Figs. 3, l and 5, the leading hammer roll 28a is, as seen in Fig. 3, disposed slightly to the right or clockwise oi the axial plane through the slot ll. Referring to Fig. 5, the trailing hammer roll 28d is disposed to the left or counterclockwise of the central or axial plane through slot H. The intermediate hammer rolls 28b and 230 are spaced uniformly from each other and intermediate the leading roll 28a and trailing roll 28d.

Consequently, when spindle H is rotated, each striker roll 30 first engages the leading roll 28a so that the full working force of the machine is directed upon the relatively small length of the workpiece in the leading dies 28a. As the spindle rotates, each striker roll successively en gages the following hammer rolls 28b, 28c and 28d in turn directing the full force of the machine on the relatively small area of the workpiece contained within the following dies 28b, 20c and 20d. The full force of the machine is thus exerted in an axially progressing manner along the workpiece, whereby there is a very high concentration of force on each successive incremental length of the workpiece. This successive movement of the dies is recurrently and cyclically repeated as each striker roll 30 engages the leading hammer roll 28a.

A primary advantage of the invention arrangement just described is that the segmental die blocks and hammer blocks may be readily and easily substituted for the usual pair of die blocks and hammer blocks in a conventional rotary swager without any alteration of the swager whatever. Thus, there is no change in the construction of the spindle or its enlarged head [5, or in the arrangement of striker rolls 39. This is an important advantage from the economical standpoint in that expensive reconstruction of the swager structure is unnecessary.

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the total machine force is progressively exerted on adjacent incremental areas of the workpiece by means of a single pair of dies. In this case, the usual die blocks and hammer blocks are replaced by a pair of die blocks 40 each associated with a novel hammer block 45, the blocks 40 and 45 being mounted in the usual slot I! in the head l5 of the spindle. The hammer and die blocks may be suitably interlocked against longitudinal shifting in any manner, such as indicated at 4|.

The inner surfaces 42 of die blocks 40 are curved longitudinally about very large radii so that these surfaces may rock on each other, this feature being best illustrated in Fig. '7. In the normal position of die blocks 49, the forward edges 43 thereof are in engagement and the rear edges 44 are somewhat separated. As the machine force is progressively applied to the workpieces by each succeeding striker roll 30, the die blocks 40 are rocked rearwardly so that the forward edges 43 separate and the rear edges 44 approach each other, finally meeting. The workpiece is inserted, in the usual manner, in complementary semi-circular grooves 46, 4.6 in surfaces 42.

Progressive die squeezing action is efiected by a novel striker arrangement on the outer surface 41 of each hammer block 45. The outer surfaces 4! lie generally in the peripheral surface of the block [5, except for their longitudinal edges 48, 48 which are beveled. Referring more particularly to Figs. 6 and 8, a rib shaped striker element 5!! extends diagonally across each. surface 41, starting from the leading edge of surface 4'! adjacent the outer end of block 45 and extending to the trailing edge at the inner end of block 45. Ribs 553 are preferably semicylindrical although other shapes maybe used.

With a workpiece in the machinethe ribs 5.!) lie Within the path of the rolls 3"] so that the ends 43, 43 of the die inner surfaces are somewhat separated. Each roll 3i! first engages the leading end 5| of a rib 5t delivering the initial impact to the area of the workpiece at the outer end of dies 48. The impact is then progressively applied along the entire length of the workpiece within the dies 49, the die blocks 4!) being rocked rearwardly as the roll progressively engages additional increments of the striker rib 59, the striker roll finally releasing the rib 58 at trailing end 52. 7

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied Without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically, extending slot therein. die block means mounted in said slot for movement radially of said spindle; an annular series of striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each endof tuclinally aligned juxtaposed relation, in the slot beyond each end. or the slot; and a series of hammer blocks movably mountedin longioutwardly of the die blocks and each engaged with a different dieblock; each hammer block having a striker element projecting beyond its outer end for recurrent engagement by succes sive striker rolls; successive striker elements being progressively offset "circumferentia'lly of the ing an axially elongated diametrically extending the slot; and hammer block means mounted in said slot and each associated with a die block means, the hammer block means having striker means projecting radially beyond said spindle for recurrent engagement by successive striker rolls; the striker means of each hammer block means being progressively oilset circumferentially of the spindle from one end of the hammer block means to the other end thereof; whereby each, striker means is progressively engaged by each striker roll so that force is progressively applied longitudinally of each die block means.

2. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; die block means mounted in said slot for movement radially of said spindle; an annular series of integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the slot; and hammer block means mounted in said slot and each associated with a die block means and in radial alignment therewith the hammer block means havingstriker means projectingradially beyond said spindle for re.- current engagement by successive striker rolls; the striker means of each hammer block means being progressively offset eircumferentially of the spindle from the axially outer end of the hammer block means to the axially innerend thereof; whereby each striker means is progressively engaged by each striker. roll so that force is progressively applied longitudinally of each die block means.

3. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a series of die blocks movably mounted in longitudinally aligned juxtaposed relation in the slot; an annular series of integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and I dinally aligned juxtaposed relation in the slot slot therein; a series of die blocks movably mounted in longitudinally aligned'juxtaposed. relation in the slot; an annular series of. integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the slot and a series of hammer blocks movably' mounted in longitudinally aligned juxtaposed relation inthe slot out- Wardly of; the die blocks and each engaged with a different die block; each hammer block having v a hammer roll. rotatably mounted therein and projecting beyondits outer end for recurrent engagement by successive striker rolls; successive hammer rolls being progressively oils-2t circumferentially of the spindle in the same direction from one end of the series of hammer blocks to the other end thereof; whereby the hammer rolls are successively engaged by each striker rolls so that force is successively applied to each die block longitudinally of said series of die blocks.

5. In a. swaging machine, a rotary spindle having anaxially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a series" of die blocks movably mounted in longitudinally aligned juxtaposed relation'in the slot; an annular series of integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the. slot; and a series of hammer blocks movably mounted-in longitudinallyaligned juxtaposed relation in the slot out Wardly of the die blocks and each engaged with a different die block; each hammer block having a striker element projecting beyond its outer end for recurrent engagement by successive striker rolls; successive striker elements being pro-' gressively ofiset circumferentially of the spindle in the same direction from one end of the series of hammer blocks to the other end thereof; whereby the striker elements are successively engaged by each striker roll so that force is successively applied to each die block longitudinally of said series of die blocks; the first and last striker elements of the series being disposed on opposite sides of and substantially equally distant from an axial plane through the series of die blocks and hammer blocks.

6. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially'elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a series of die blocks movably mounted in longitudinally aligned juxtaposed relation in the slot; an annular series of integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the slot; and a series of hammer blocks movably mounted in longituoutwardly of the die blocks and each engaged with a different die block; each hammer block having a hammer roll rotatably mounted therein; successive hammer rolls being progressively offset circumferentially of the spindle in the same direction from one end of the series of hammer blocks to the other end thereof; whereby the hammer rolls are successively engaged by each stroker roll so that force is successively applied. to each die block longitudinally of said series of die blocks; the first and last hammer rolls of the series being disposed on opposite sides of and substantially equally distant from an axial plane through the series of die blocks and hammer blocks.

7. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a series of die blocks movably mounted in longitudinally aligned juxtaposed relation in the slot; an annular series of integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and. axially beyond each end of the slot; and a series of hammer blocks movably mounted in longitudinally aligned juxtaposed relation in the slot outwardly of the die blocks and each engaged with a different die block; each hammer block having a hammer roll rotatably mounted therein; successive hammer rolls being progressively oil?- set circumferentially of the spindle in the same direction from one end of the series of hammer blocks to the other end thereof; whereby the hammer rolls are successively engaged by each striker roll so that force is successively applied to each die block longitudinally of said series of die blocks; the first and last hammer rolls of the series being disposed on opposite sides of and substantially equally distant from an axial plane through the series of die blocks and hammer blocks, the hammer roll axes being parallel to the striker roll axes.

8. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a pair of die blocks mounted in the slot on opposite sides of the spindle axis; an annular series of integral striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond. each end of the slot; and a pair of hammer blocks mounted in the slot outwardly of the die blocks and each engaged with a difierent die block; each hammer block having a striker element projecting beyond its outer end for recurrent engagement by successive striker rolls; and the striker element of each hammer block means extending diagonally thereacross at an angle to the axes of the striker rolls; whereby each striker element is progressively engaged by each striker roll so that force is progressively applied longitudinally of each die block.

9. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a pair of die blocks mounted in the slot on opposite sides of the spindle axis; an annular series of striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the slot; the radially inner work engaging surfaces of the die blocks being longitudinally curved so that such surfaces may rock longitudinally on each other; and a pair of hammer having an axially elongated diametrically ex tending slot therein; a pair of die blocks mounted in the slot on opposite sides of the spindle axis; an annular series of striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the slot; the radially inner work engaging sur faces of the die blocks being longitudinally curved about relatively large radii of curvature so that such surfaces may rock longitudinally on each other; and a pair of hammer blocks mounted in the slot outwardly of the die blocks and each engaged with a different die block; each hammer block having a striker element projecting beyond its outer end for recurrent engagement by successive striker rolls; and the striker element of each hammer block means extending diagonally thereacross at an angle to the axes of the striker rolls; whereby each striker element is progressively engaged by each striker roll so that force is progressively applied longitudinally of each die block.

11. In a swaging machine, a rotary spindle having an axially elongated diametrically extending slot therein; a pair of die blocks mounted in the slot on opposite sides of the spindle axis; an annular series of striker rolls embracing said spindle, each striker roll extending parallel to the spindle axis and axially beyond each end of the slot; the radially inner work engaging surfaces of the die blocks being longitudinally curved about relatively large radii of curvature so that such surfaces may rock longitudinally on each roll so that force is progressively applied longitudinally of each die block.

SIDLEY O. EVANS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,180,296 Johnson Apr. 25, 1916 1,696,697 Sommer Dec. 25, 1928 1,939,065 Kruse Dec. 12, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 547,314 Germany Mar. 22, 1932 553,350 France May 22, 1923 

